Loose-leaf binder



April 23, 1929. cfJ. DUNBAR LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Aug.11. 1928 CHARLES J. nuNB n, OFKALAMAZOO, Mre rrIeAmAssrGnoa TO LEIEEB'URE coRroRA- 'rr01v,"or CEDAR. RAPIDS, IOWA; A conroaArroN or IOWA. i

noose-LEAF BINDER: 1 7

Application filed August 11,1928. Serial no. 239,025.

This invention relates to binders, and more particularly those of the type employed for holding loose leaves in such books as county records and the like. v

The object of the invention is'to improve binders of this nature so as to materially strengthen them at the leaf-holding portions, facilitate the insertion and removal of the leaf-holding posts, and so construct the posts that the removal of leaves is effected'easily and with little liability of tearing them.

, The invention is fully disclosed in the description and claims following,reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which l Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the improved binder as seen from the lower end. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same with the top cover and back thrown back as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end view, illustrating an open book. Fig. l shows one of the posts and its holders in cross section, as seen endwise of the book. Fig. 5 is a similar View, but showing the upper end of the post in section andthe lower end permanently attached to the leaf-clamp ing bar. Fig. 6 is an end view of a post and a fragmentary view of its lock-bar. Fig. 7 is an end view of a post, its neck being in section.

As herein set forth the invention is shown applied to a binder of a familiar type for holding loose leaves 5, punched to receive the binder posts 7. These are made attachable to leaf-clamping bars 8 hingedly connecting the top and bottom covers 9 and 10, respectively, and the back member 11. The clampbars are usually of tubular construction, and enclose an endwise sliding lock-bar 12 to engage the posts in some manner and so hold the leaves in closely clamped position. dinarily the book is used as indicated in Fig. 3. When it is desired to shift one or more leaves the upper cover is thrown back, after sliding the lock-bar, as indicated by the dotted outline in Fig. 1. s

The invention herein set forth refers more particularly to the post and its fastening, and will now be described.

Cylindrical posts 7, with ends preferably rounded, at least at the upper ends, are notched or grooved at 7 for engagement with the lock-bar 12. As herein shown, the bar is pierced with key-hole slots 12, and has a terminal finger-piece 12" by which it is shifted endwise. 3 narrow portion'of each 7 slot engages theneck 7 a of the post underthe head, and thus locks the binder together. The larger portion of the slot, as well as the adjacent hole 8 in the clamping bar must be large enough to. readily admit the post, or

any numberof them in a, series, when the A book is closed to lock the leaves, as is done by simply throwing the top cover to the clos- 111g position by a single sweeping motion.

If the'posts a're made removable from both covers, as isoften the case, this'leaves the 7 posts with little support, especially when the lock-bar is withdrawn, and thewhole body of leaves may then shift endwise so that in re-closing a detached cover the posts and cover holes donot come in register. In order therefore to better support the posts in an upright position, when of the type shown in Fig. 4c, sockets 7 are formed in their ends, and in the clamp-bars in line with the sockets are set studs 8 to engage therewith. The posts are thus held steadily in a true vertical position, and will be in correct register with the cover in closing. The stud and socket connection serves also to greatly strengthen the binder against the twisting and racking strains to which it is subjected in daily use.

The hurried throwing over of masses of leaves in heavy county records, for example, as indicated by any of the masses in Fig. 3, brings a heavy strain on the posts and their connections, tending'to wrench, distort and even break the book at the post connections. The stud and socket joint is thereforeiof material benefit in this respect, whether applied at both ends, as in Fig. 4, or only one end, as shown in connection with the fixed post 7 in Fig. 5.

To quickly detach a leaf from the binder the simplest way is to catch the leaf at the top edge and strip it off the posts, as indicated in Fig. 1. If on this upper side of the post there is a notch the hole in the leaf is pretty sure to engage it, and is very apt to be torn. To prevent this tearing of leaves that portion of the posts herein designated as the neck is maintained flush with the body and head, as shown in Figs. 2and 7, thus presenting a smooth unbroken surface over which the leaf may slip in shifting. To facilitate the engagement of the lock-' the narrow'portions of the key-hole slots.

' Operating therewith,- of a leat holding post:

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

,1. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a; clampinggbar provided'witlr' studs, of leaf-holding posts provided withcentral terminal sockets to engage said studs, and means adapted to lock the posts to the bar. I

2.7 In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with a clamping bar provided with'st'uds, of

round-ended leaf-holding posts provided with central terminal sockets to engage said stud-s, andlncans adapted to lock the posts 3. In a-loose-1eaf binder, the combination with a clampingbar adapted to receive a leafholding post and a post-engaging lock bar cosockets to engage said studs, a key-hole slotted bar cooperating with said clamping bar to lock the posts thereto, said leaf-holding posts being; notched laterally to engage the lockebar slots,the' neck between notches extending-transversely substantially the full diameter of the post.

5. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination with leaf-holding posts provided with termi-' nal sockets, ofa clamping bar adapted to recelve the ends of said posts, with studs secured w1thin the clampingbar and fitting SZLICIPOStsockets, and means forre'leasably looking the posts within the clamping bar and in. engagement with its studs;

(3. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination With'leaf-holdingposts, of a hollow clamping bar having openings at one side to receive. said posts, means'itor releasa'bly locklng the posts to said clamping bar, and interfitting means between the ends of the posts and the inner face of the opposite side of said clamplng bar. 7 I

In testnnony whereof I affix my s1gnature.

CHARLES J. DUNBAR. 

